₦airaland Forum

dhardline:
I am not without sin,for no one is.The day one can declare that he is without sin then that day he declares that he is no longer sick and has no need of a doctor/physician and remember that Jesus Christ came for those who acknowledge that they are sick. You actually are making it seem that i stand in my own righteousness,NO! I stand in the righteousness of Christ who is my advocate.

Galatians chapter 3 verse 21 to end: Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if

there had been a law given which could have given life,truly righteousness would have been by the

law.
22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Let me highlight verse 27: for as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Does someone who has put on Christ have to go thru purgatory to be cleansed again?If you say yes then you are saying Christ needs to be purged(God forbid). Now that we are in Christ we are new creatures walking with him through faith.

Let me add also that its not water baptism that is spoken of here.

And also for those who sing Abraham's blessings are mine,this is the way to be a partaker of the blessings by being his seed thru this and then heirs according to the promise.

Friend. Take a look again at the bold, are you saying that when those "who have put on Christ" offend God through sin then it is Christ that commits those sins? (God forbid). Forget about whether it is water baptism or not, that's not what we are studying here. What you are doing above is that you are saying that when someone put on Christ in baptism, it's either (1)he is not capable of committing sin-even those you had listed earlier-again throughout his/her life, or (2) he goes to heaven with such sins as it is Christ that must have committed them and Christ cannot be purged. You cannot pick and chose when to be Christ, you cannot be man when you're committing sin and become Christ when you die in order to avoid the repercussion. Believers do fall, they sin, you cannot say someone who is a believer cannot fall, that's why St. Paul says "Take heed lest you fall" 1Cor 10:12 and charges Christians thus "When ye sin so against brethren, and wound their WEAK conscience, ye sin against Christ" (1 Cor 8.12)- this was for something as small as eating meat sacrificed to Idol- he wasn't talking to unbelievers. When John the apostle was writing the epistle, he wrote to believers, yet he said this to them "If we CONFESS our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness" (1 John 1.9). This shows that believers can fall into sin, but a true believer does not want to sin, and "dies daily" in an effort to watch and keep himself from sin. Granted some attain that perfection before departing this earth, but many at their point of death, cannot be said to be perfect. It is you now who takes God for granted by assuming that you'll go into heaven like that, yet scripture says that such a one will be saved, yet so as by fire.

SalC:
Sure God is great.

To God be the glory.

SalC:
A splendid monday to you

Thanks dearie, hope your day is going well.

dhardline:
That is the same reason i quoted the book of Romans above before listing the sins that we must fight against.

The book of Romans you quoted and the explanation you gave, only shows that a christian will watch over those faults and not be slave to them. It does not say that a christian will not fall into them, nor does it say if you die having committed any of them even unknowingly, that you will stroll into heaven. If I ask you now as we speak, (though you may be innocent of sins like murder, adultery, fornication, stealing etc) will you say that you are without sin?

dhardline:
Romans 6 verse 6 and 12: knowing this,that our old man was crucified with Him,that the body of sin might be done away with,that we should no longer be SLAVES to sin.

12:Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body,that you should obey it in its lusts.

I highlighted the word 'slave' .once you are saved you no longer sin knowingly,you think over your

actions and words carefully,you do not allow sin reign in you or have control over you.You do what

ever it takes to avoid it in thoughts,word and deed.You don't pick the ones to do and the ones not

to do and then give excuses to yourself.but when you sin unknowingly the Lord will reveal it to you

and you repent of the sin, this way you continue in growth hidden in the righteousness of Christ

until death.Christianity is by experience not head knowledge and the Holy spirit guides us thru

this experience.Let me give you a list of sin we commonly ignore as written by Basilea Schlink.

6. ABSENT-MINDEDNESS

7. ANGER

8. AVOIDING THE CROSS

9. BEING ANNOYED

Bitterness see Irreconciliation

Bondage to People and Things of this Earth see

Worldly Love

10. BUSYNESS

11. CONCEIT

Conformity see Pleasing People

12. COWARDICE

Craving see Greed

13. CRITICIZING

14. CURIOSITY

Daydreaminig see Absent-mindedness

15. DESIRE FOR ATTENTION

Desire for Recognition see Desire for Attention

Desire to Dominate see Love of Power

16. DISBELIEF

Discouragement see Disbelief

17. DISOBEDIENCE

18. DISRESPECT

Dissension see Quarrelsomeness

19. EGOISM

20. ENVY

Gossip see Slander

21. GREED

Hard-heartedness see Mercilessness

Haughtiness see Pride

22. HYPOCRISY

23. IMPATIENCE

24. INDIFFERENCE

25. INGRATITUDE

26. IRRECONCILIATION

Irritability see Being Annoyed

27. JEALOUSY

Judging see Criticizing

Laziness see Softness

28. LOVE OF POWER

Lukewarmness see Indifference

29. LUST

30. LYING

31. MERCILESSNESS

32. MISTRUST

Negation of Authority see Disrespect

33. PLEASING PEOPLE

34. PRIDE

35. QUARRELSOMENESS

36. REBELLION

37. REPRESSION

38. RIDICULE

Scoffing see Ridicule

Secretiveness see Lying

39. SELFISHNESS

Self-Justification see Self-Righteousness

40. SELF-PITY

41. SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS

42. SELF-WILL

43. SLANDER

44. SOFTNESS

Stinginess see Selfishness

Suppression see Repression

45. TALKATIVENESS

46. TOUCHINESS

47. UNLOVINGNESS

48. UNRELIABILITY

Unwillingness to Suffer see Avoiding the Cross

Vanity see Conceit

49. WORLDLY LOVE

50. WORRYING

Wonderful! Splendid. And you see yourself not guilty of any of these and more each day? If you die having offended by Impatience or ingratitude, are you going to heaven where "nothing unclean shall enter" Rev.21:27. Or will you go to hell fire with such sins that may have not pursued the grace of God from you, a sin that "leads not to death". 1Jn 5:17

Rawblings:
If truly there's purgatory, why did Jesus come?
It's by God's grace that we'll make heaven. There's nothing like purification after death..

Revelation 21:27New International Version (NIV)

27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

can you see revelation, nothing impure- that means if you live in sin, you can't make heaven. Again only those who have their names in the book of life will be saved.

so how does purgatory relate to this verse? Please Explain

I wonder how then you think you can make heaven, where nothing impure can enter. How many times have you lacked respect in prayers, how many times have you omitted offering help to another for one reason or the other, how many times have you spoken to another uncharitably, how many times have you been vain in speech, fashion, thoughts or expressions, how many times have you missed prayers or was late for an appointment for flimsy reasons? Do you even acknowledge these as sin and ask forgiveness? You think you can go to heaven with these? When Scripture says that the Just man falls seven times a day Prov.24:16, it wasn't talking of killing and adultery. Again, when scripture talked of "Sins that do not lead to death" 1John 5:17 it acknowledged first that all sin is sin, but still noted that not all sin merit hell fire at the time of judgement. Rather at that time, such a person will be saved, yet so as by fire 1 Cor 3:15, before entering heaven for as you've already observed, nothing impure can enter there. That's where Purgatory comes in.

From today's Gospel MT 16:13-19

"When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”"

Wow! Deep promises. Oh how secured it is to be under the guidance of the church, the church assured of security against the gates of the underworld. To no individual was such an assurance made, but to the church of Christ, the one built upon the one whom the Lord called rock(Peter). So wonderful is this assurance to saints such that they derive consolation by the very thought of it. A beautiful soul, a great saint and mystic, St. Theresa of Avila had to proclaim with confidence and joy at her dying bed ""I die a daughter of the Church". How on the contrast you see these days, people say "I am a catholic, but I don't agree with all they do". End time tinz you may want to shout... and I will say "exactly"! Humility teach the saints the truth about the beauty and merits of being under the guidance of the church, While arrogance and pride teach sinners that they are wiser and holier than the church's magisterium. See where it has got us, countless number of groups; teaching countless contradictory doctrines, yet claiming the Holy Spirit as the source of their teachings. How convenient! The Holy Spirit is not an author of confusion 1Cor 14:33 . The church and only the church, the one established by Jesus, the one Jesus built on the rock/Peter, the one he told Peter to shepherd when he said "feed my sheep" Jn 21:17, is the only secure refuge, for to no one else but the church; is addressed these words "the pillar and ground of truth" 1Tim 3:15 . Since the truth sets one free, only as a child of the church can one be truly free. I am a son of the church, are you?

Today, let me walk in prayer with Jnrbayano, as you live your faith in this period of lent, may you merit in the powers of the church to bind or loose, may the works of your hands be established, and the joy of the Lord be your strength in life's journey ahead.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.

goodnews777:
No, here it's talking about heavenly reward for what you did on earth. It's not talking about where you are.purgatory is not the issue here. Paul the apostle says we(self included)will all appear before the judgement seat of Christ . This is to decide what rewards you deserve. Not all crowns will be the same though you made heaven.Forget purgatory , it's sinful deceit and satanic.Repent now because there is no change of staus after death

Oh yeah? So those whose work burn are already in heaven but their reward will be different? I see how your "holy spirit" interprets scripture. So you didn't see St. Paul use the word "They shall be saved". Learn sir, all the lies you've been told are clouding your mind. St Paul is talking about being saved and you are talking about type of crown, can't you see the difference?

fasho01:
If I should relate this with your earlier quote, are you saying the fire that shall try every man's work is purgatory

No. I am only drawing your attention to the fact that some people's work shall burn but they will still "be saved, yet so as by fire". So you may ask yourself the question "where will these people be; while they are made ready for heaven...so as by fire?"

fasho01:
The scriptural references you quoted are out of context as it doesn't relate to rewards of the after life.

Oh really? The day of judgement is not in afterlife right?

1Cor 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

I guess not, it relates to the rewards of this life, the day tithe collected start to increase. Smh.

dhardline:
Brother everyone is free to believe as he/she pleases.I have believed in the truth beyond

resonable doubt and I have been reading alot too about justification and sanctification and the

truth has set me free.

So when you see the truth others believe in, do not try to say they are wrong, when you know nothing about it.

Geulink:
The Roman Church is Pagan. What papal's rome does is to confuse people to believing that they can institute laws and other beliefs which are not in the bible, only to lead many to eternal condemmation. Purgatory is their invention likewise Sunday worship, Christmas, Easter which is originally celebrated as Passover. The bible says 'my people perish because of lack of knowledge' . So those who have brain learn from it. Don't allow anybody to fool you. Seek to know the mystery so that you can become a master in it.

Sabbath People don come too, ok you've been heard.

dhardline:
Brother, have heard of self denial before? Or you just want to assume that the passage speaks of

physical fire or purgatory .ok then let me also assume that the works are also building with

physical gold,silver,precious stones,wood hay and straw.

The word of God i have learnt is not head knowledge.The holy spirit interprets accordingly to suite

the person and situation.My brother don't accept a teaching that will make you soft peddal your

quest for true and pure holiness given you the hope that you are free to live the way you like and

be cleansed after death.

Oga you have not said anything. All you know is "I don't accept Purgatory". The Holy spirit has told you nothing. That passage is clearly talking about a man's end. The works are actually all you've done while on earth, fire is fire, spiritual fire for spiritual beings like a man's soul. And verse 15 clearly states that if a man's work burns (and he didn't destroy the temple of God...vs17) then he shall be saved yet so as by fire. What you clearly have denied in your self denial is the existence of that state whereby a soul is being purified and made ready for heaven by fire. The knowledge of purgatory actually makes you avoid the faults you normally wave away and not the other way round, do a little reading.

theshaderoom:
Thank you! My thoughts exactly. Some people won't even keep an open mind! They just came on this thread armed with an opinion to comment without even reading the text.

I had my doubts until I read this article. Thank you OP for this

Truth is they go about spreading hear says, no one has said "tell me about this purgatory" nor have they read about it. Believe me any day one of them picks a book on purgatory and reads, they will start to be better Christians and stop taking God for granted. How easy it is to lack respect in prayers, to prefer our ease to the accomplishment of duty, to sin by vanity, by impatience, by sensuality, by uncharitable thoughts and words, by wont of conformity to the will of God! How many of them consider these in blue as faults, they think they will just go into heaven with such defects.

dhardline:
I don't think....the scriptures is what i confide in and not my thoughts.

And if the scripture says he conquered death,hell(hades) and the grave then yes he did.

And if the scripture tells you that :

1cor3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

1cor3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire

1cor3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Why do you doubt verse 15?


(You're wrong though, because hell is used for various words having different meanings in greek. Hades, Gehenna, sheol, all mean differently.)

malvisguy212:
NO, the place of death and hades, is it purgatory ?

Pick your choice of name. But It's neither hell where Satan is, nor heaven. It's somewhere that actually exists.

dhardline:
My brother i don't know about you but as for me,My Lord Jesus Christ is greater than satan.

That's not what I asked. Do you think Jesus went to hell fire where satan is?

Good morning brethren, a splendid Sunday to all.

fasho01:
This purgatory is nothing but a lie from the pit of he'll to lead men astray.

The Bible says in Eccl 9:5[AMP ] that 'For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; and they have no more reward [here], for the memory of them is forgotten.'

A close friend of mine takes this doctrine so serious saying that God will not let people perish just like that so he lives his life anyhow, believing that he'll go to purgatory & ammend his ways. So sad!!!

You and your friend should take to some learning.

1cor3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. (Heaven)

1cor3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire (Purgatory)

1cor3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. (Hell fire)

dhardline:
Yes i did.

He only kept trying to beautify the reason to make it acceptable.

Let me give you my own insight on the ressurection from what was written in the Holy Bible.It is

said that jesus conquered death and hell ,hence arose on the third day and the dead saints were raised up

with him.The bible never said Jesus conquered purgatory or anyother place.

Yeah, so to you he went to hell where satan is abi?

superior1:
One of the demonic doctrines of roman Catholics used in raising funds for the pope

( Ex 23:1 )- You shall not spread a false report.You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness.

( Prov 19:9 )- A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish .

Kamsified:
Lol I see he's walking with the brethren one at a time. Pardon my ignorance
God bless bro Syncan for the encouragement daily

Thanks Nne, God bless you too.

From today's Gospel. MT 5:43-48


"Jesus said to his disciples:
“You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers and sisters only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect".”


As I read through this passage, I remember the holy father, Pope Francis. Presently there's a lot of noise in the media about what he said recently, in response to a question he was asked about a certain USA presidential candidate. This is an extract of what he said, the very one that caused the uproar "...and then, a person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian. This is not in the Gospel...I say only that this man is not Christian if he has said things like that. We must see if he said things in that way and in this I give the benefit of the doubt". That's the statement causing the noise, and I ask, what is the difference between what he said and what Jesus has just said above? We know a country known as North Korea, it is a close example of a country whose leaders build walls and not bridges, not Korea rulers are not Christians, if this candidate does same thing as the North Korean ruler, what is the difference between them? Yet people want to gag the Pope, the vicar of Christ, the visible shepherd of the Universal Church. We must check ourselves at all times, yeah I do this good work, but have i done it in a manner more than the pagans do? I'll give you an illustration. To be charitable is good, a wonderful obligation it is, even pagans do that too, but when you offer charity with the disposition of giving to a superior, then you are doing something the Pagan's don't. Ha, what's this guy saying....Well, let me put it this way: We give gifts to priests, bishops and our superiors, we express gratitude to them when they accept the gifts, why? Can such gratitude be felt when you give to the poor? That's where the difference lies. Let's look at this below and consider how we offer our charity.

"It was on this garrison duty at Amiens that the event took place that has been portrayed in art throughout the ages. On a bitterly cold winter day, the young tribune Martin rode through the gates, probably dressed in the regalia of his unit -- gleaming, flexible armor, ridged helmet, and a beautiful white cloak whose upper section was lined with lambswool. As he approached the gates he saw a beggar, with clothes so ragged that he was practically naked. The beggar must have been shaking and blue from the cold but no one reached out to help him. Martin, overcome with compassion, took off his mantle. In one quick stroke he slashed the lovely mantle in two with his sword, handed half to the freezing man and wrapped the remainder on his own shoulders. Many in the crowd thought this was so ridiculous a sight that they laughed and jeered but some realized that they were seeing Christian goodness. That night Martin dreamed that he saw Jesus wearing the half mantle he had given the beggar. Jesus said to the angels and saints that surrounded him, "See! this is the mantle that Martin, yet a catechumen, gave me." When he woke, it was the "yet a catechumen" that spurred Martin on and he went immediately to be baptized. He was eighteen years old." St. Martin of Tours

Question: Who is that poor fellow you are about to give alms to?

Today, let me walk in prayers with you Fvine. As you seek each day to do good in this period of lent, may the Lord visit you in your needs, may you be adorned in virtues and glory, as "someone sacred to the LORD, your God, as he promised.” Deut. 26:19

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.

Kamsified:
I still don't understand how this beautiful sermon has only hurricanechris name mentioned in it
Not like Kamsified is hard to type

From Today's Reading EZ 18:21-28

"Thus says the Lord GOD:
If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just, he shall surely live, he shall not die...And if the virtuous man turns from the path of virtue to do evil, the same kind of abominable things that the wicked man does,
can he do this and still live? None of his virtuous deeds shall be remembered, because he has broken faith and committed sin; because of this, he shall die".

Gospel MT 5:20-26

"You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment..."

People often write their autobiography, a peek into their lives. Can you do an autobiography of your life in the past 24hrs, with the readings of today in mind? Just a check on how your life weighed; considering virtues and vices, things done and things left undone....When I look back at mine, I cannot but sigh with the psalm of the day thus : " If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?". For "ordinary" anger against your brother, you are liable to judgement, albeit to determine if it was a just anger or not, and probably the length of time it lasted. Haba! God abhors sin, he punishes severely for it. His mercy however is exceedingly great, that He forgives every repentant heart. No where is this attributes of God so vividly displayed as on the cross and in the existence of Purgatory. Such huge payment on the cross for the reconciliation with man, and such severe punishment in purgatory for venial sins to save the soul. "How easy it is to lack respect in prayers, to prefer our ease to the accomplishment of duty, to sin by vanity, by impatience, by sensuality, by uncharitable thoughts and words, by wont of conformity to the will of God!" says a priest author. These faults have severe punishments in Purgatory, yet some just feel that God simply turn a blind eye to these faults of theirs, and chide you who watch out for them, confess them and ask for pardon, dreading the pains due to them in purgatory. It is you they still accuse of finding an easy way out by believing in purgatory, yet it is they who prepare to carry such faults to heaven, forgetting that "Nothing unclean shall enter..." Rev.21:27. Brethren, let's continue to examine or consciences for faults like these, as the church teaches us, let's not be moved by the snares and jeers of the proud and ignorant, a sincere and contrite heart the Lord will not spurn.
Today, let me walk in prayer with you Hurricanechris my brother, as you watch out for daily faults and make amends, may the Lord supply you with the necessary grace to overcome them, may you be clothed in virtues that you may be pleasing to Him.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.

SalC:
Keep em coming bro Syncan. More grace to you through Christ our Lord.

Amen Amen, God bless you dearie.

From Today's Reading EST C:12, 14-16, 23-25
"Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish, had recourse to the LORD. She lay prostrate upon the ground, together with her handmaids, from morning until evening, and said: “God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, blessed are you. Help me, who am alone and have no help but you,..."

Gospel MT 7:7-12
"Jesus said to his disciples:
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asked for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asked for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.” "

A musician named Jim Reeves once sang a song, it goes like this:

How long has it been since you talked with the Lord?
And told Him your heart's hidden secrets
How long since you prayed? How long since you stayed
On your knees till the light shone through?
....
I have always loved to listen to that song, for it constantly reminds me of the source of my strength. When last did you truly pray, when last could you say "I talked to the lord"... "mother Mary spoke to me in my heart". When last did you feel a burden lifted from your shoulder after prayers? Jim will ask again:

How long has it been since your mind felt at ease?
How long since your heart knew no burden?
Can you call Him your friend?
How long has it been since you knew that He cared for you?

The saints knew the power of prayer and utilized it. One good thing about prayer is that both the strong and the weak can pray, often times we get discouraged because we couldn't stand long periods of prayer, but I tell you not to be, for St. Benedict has this to say "Prayer ought to be short and pure, unless it be prolonged by the inspiration of Divine grace". So you see, even a short prayer ...like just before you sleep...could be very powerful, for the efficiency of prayer is not measured by its length. Jim reminds us:

How long has it been since you knelt by your bed
And prayed to the Lord up in heaven?
How long since you knew that he'd answer you
And would keep you the long night through??

Esther prayed; God answered her, and delivered her people. Talk with God in your everyday experiences, pray with your lips, pray in your heart, pray by your work, pray always. "Never is a man more manly then when he bends his knees before God" says a quote.
Today, let me walk in prayer with you dear MariaGoretti, as you go through this Lenten season, may your prayers find favor before our God, may your strength be renewed, and may your efforts find success.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.

From Today's Reading JON 3:1-10

"...When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in the ashes. Then he had this proclaimed throughout Nineveh, by decree of the king and his nobles: “Neither man nor beast, neither cattle nor sheep, shall taste anything; they shall not eat, nor shall they drink water. Man and beast shall be covered with sackcloth and call loudly to God; every man shall turn from his evil way and from the violence he has in hand. Who knows, God may relent and forgive, and withhold his blazing wrath, so that we shall not perish.” When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out".

Gospel LK 11:29-32

"...At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”


Every Lenten season, especially here on Nairaland, one reads as people try to dissuade Catholics from their fasts and abstinence. "who said you should not eat meat"; they say. "I can eat anything i like today and nothing will happen"; others say. "Putting ash on your face is a pagan ritual", some will say. "All these are man made rules"; another set will intone. Yet in this obvious display of ignorance, lukewarm Catholics are shaken and dry leaves fall. Brethren, whose commands did the people of Nineveh obey, God's or their King's...yet Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it.... When such attack is thrown at you O Catholic, it is only a test on your obedience, for what the devil prides itself in is disobedience, and that became its trademark. Just as forgiveness is an Identity of belonging to God, disobedience is a character of the devil. In this period of Penance, mortification, sacrifices etc, let's listen to the saints :

Obedience is a penance of reason, and, on that account, a sacrifice more acceptable than all corporal penances and mortifications. --Saint John of the Cross, Doctor of the Church

We must put aside all judgment of our own, and keep the mind ever ready and prompt to obey in all things the true Spouse of Christ our Lord, our holy Mother, the hierarchical Church. --Saint Ignatius of Loyola

He who always acts under obedience may be assured that he will not have to give an account of his actions to God. --Saint Philip Neri

Today, let me walk in prayers with you bro Aizenosa, as you humble your heart and show contrition in this period of lent, may the Lord not spurn, may He create a clean heart for you and renew in you a steadfast spirit.


Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.

From Today's Gospel MT 6:7-15


"...This is how you are to pray:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

“If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions"...."

How often have we heard these words "I can never forgive that", that's the way of men, yet we say the Lord's prayer everyday. Forgiveness, just like every act of true sacrifice comes with pain. And like such worthy acts, the joy that comes after; eclipses the pains that accompanied it. In forgiving, we display a trait we inherited from our father who is God, it is a proof of our sonship. The world knows that "to forgive is Divine", hence when you forgive, it is clear who you inherited it from and there is no need proving further your identity to yourself or anyone, for it is clear from which stock you came forth, aye, the household of God. "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us..." Really? Seriously? Is this the way we truly want it? Then stop holding God's Pardon for your offenses down, untie yourself, forgive that person... and earn yours too. Before us each time, examples are placed. Google the name Noel Pumarejo and you'll read something interesting.
Today, let me walk with you in prayers dear deracathy, may the boundless mercy of the Lord find you in your sacrifices; in this period of lent, may your life be securely planted in the hollow of God's hands.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.

Syncan:
From Today's readings LV 19:1-2, 11-18

“Speak to the whole assembly of the children of Israel and tell them: Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy.“You shall not steal.
You shall not lie or speak falsely to one another. You shall not swear falsely by my name..."

I praise the saints of the old testament and hold them a lot in high esteem, do you know why? I will tell you. There's this primary school maths book called lacombe maths, it was more difficult to grasp than the one in "Key to success". Even when it was difficult to comprehend physics using the book by Abbot, it was easier to understand same thing when you read from the one written by "PN Okeke and others", Or which is easier to comprehend prose between "Lonely Londoners" and "Eze goes to school". How easy was it to grasp chemistry using the book authored by "Holdernes and Lambert" to using the one authored by "Osei yaw Ababio". Modern day students use visual aids and it's much easier to understand things than earlier. So when God charged the Israelites to be Holy, His method of being holy, which was made up of thou shall not this, thou shall not that... was like using one of those old books to study.

I say this because in our relationships, It's never enough not to curse a child; you have to bless sometimes. You can't be termed affectionate just because you do not beat your wife; you have to caress her often. How can you be called kind for not defrauding your neighbor; you have to lend a helping hand too. This is just how it goes, It's ok not to do wrong, but you're better of doing right. Dear brethren, we are in the Lenten season, searching ourselves, seeking to desist from one vice or the other, to untangle ourselves from the bond of one sin or the other, yes, yes, it's good, yet the best way is to attempt the practice of the opposing virtues, let the glutton fast, let the slanderer praise, let the selfish show generosity, that's more like learning and understanding using the more modern and easier method. You will rise faster.


That's why the Master Himself, Our Lord Jesus, in teaching about Holiness in today's gospel, gave us an insight into what it demands when he said " ...Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me..." MT 25:31-46. This is what we'll be judged with, this is what will make us holier, this is what will bring us closer to God, this is what we need this lent. When you keep the "thou shall not do", that's ok, but if you don't settle for less, then you'll go for "thou shall do". Recall that when the man told Jesus that he had observed all the "thou shall not...", Jesus looked at him and Loved him, but when Jesus wanted something higher for him; he told him "thou shall do...". Mk 10:21.
May our Lady Intercede for us.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.

Same reading as today...a post from last year. Today let me walk in Prayer with you Rich4god, beloved brother, may our Lord Jesus look upon you with Love as you strive to keep his commandments, may his loving light direct your steps and secure your future.

Good day brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.

bluerange:
Good Morning brethren, it has really been a while!

Indeed It has been a while. welcome back.

From today's first reading. IS 58:9B-14


Thus says the LORD:
If you remove from your midst oppression, Thus says the LORD: If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; If you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; Then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday; Then the LORD will guide you always and give you plenty even on the parched land. He will renew your strength,
and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring whose water never fails. The ancient ruins shall be rebuilt for your sake, and the foundations from ages past you shall raise up; “Repairer of the breach,” they shall call you, “Restorer of ruined homesteads.”


The tongue! Small, enclosed, but surely mighty. “Whosoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles” (Proverbs 21:23). What time is it now, and how many words have we used today that are uncharitable. How many words have we spoken just today in anger. How many lies have we told just this morning. Yet above in scriptures, lay a load of blessings for one who could mortify his/her tongue. Do you know that unbridled tongue makes your claim towards a christian life null and void? (James 1:26). Yes, because the tongue is fiery and strong enough defile the whole body (James 3:6). Indeed so powerful is the tongue that whoever is able to control it is called "Perfect" and is able to control his whole body (James 3:2). Well then, beloved brethren, lets focus on this tongue for a while, let's learn that word "God bless you" and use it very often. So often parents are quick to use words like dunce, stupid, useless etc on their kids, what about changing for a while; to using more often something like "Child of God, Jesus son, Princess, Mary's daughter etc. let's start by avoiding criticism for one day, criticism of persons, of tribes, of government, etc. Lets flee from slander, You may warn others to not follow certain examples, but leave all character judgment to God alone, that's the mistake of the Pharisees and Scribes, when they complained in today's Gospel saying “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” (LK. 5:27-32). Jesus never mentioned who will betray him by name; though he knew very well his name, let's learn from Jesus. "Lord, help me keep my mouth shut, until i know what am talking about" said a man. Today let me walk with you in prayers auntie Debbie, may your perseverance in the heavenly race be fruitful in you, may the Lord renew your strength; that you may be like the watered garden, with virtues like flowers blossoming and spreading sweet scent to all around you.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.